Author: Thomas Howland

The Blueprint For 2019 Nathan Eovaldi: 2013 Koji Uehara

The Blueprint For 2019 Nathan Eovaldi: 2013 Koji Uehara

Posted by | Jul 20, 2019 | ,

There is much consternation about Nathan Eovaldi being rushed back. Part of this is due to the news that he will not be used on back to back days, at least to start. But the Red Sox have seen this act before, and it was a thing of beauty. In 2013 Koji Uehara was used with kids gloves and it resulted in a World Series Championship. What it could look like In 2013 Koji managed to rack up 21 Saves. He got his first Save on May17th, but he didn’t start getting them consistently until June 26th. In the...

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Eduardo Nunez World Series Memories

Eduardo Nunez World Series Memories

Posted by | Jul 16, 2019 | ,

A celebration of some of Eduardo Nunez‘s greatest hits from the 2018 World Series Championship, in light of him being DFA’d by the Red Sox. Game One, bottom of the 7th With the Red Sox clinging to a 5-4 lead, Andrew Benintedi doubled, and J.D Martinez was intentially walked. Mitch Moreland and Xander Bogaerts struck out with Rafael Devers due up. Dave Roberts went to the bullpen for Alex Wood. Despite the fact that Devers had gone 1-2 against Clayton Kershaw, Alex Cora pinch hit with Eduardo Nunez. He promptly hit a three run bomb, providing the final scoring...

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Andrew Cashner: Cheap Yankee/Rays Killer

Andrew Cashner: Cheap Yankee/Rays Killer

Posted by | Jul 13, 2019 | ,

The Red Sox made a trade today with the Baltimore Orioles for right hand pitcher Andrew Cashner. Sure, Cashner is far from a perfect player. He has a 3.83 ERA this year, yet only a 4.25 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching). Essentially, he doesn’t strike out a ton of batters and walks around three per game. This means his ERA is more lucky than good. But he’s here for two reasons: He pitches well against the Rays and Yankees, and he’s cheap. Cashner Against The Sox Direct Competition Starting on July 22nd, the Red Sox will face off against the...

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Red Sox Bullpen Target: Greg Holland

Red Sox Bullpen Target: Greg Holland

Posted by | Jul 12, 2019 | ,

There’s a man who could help bring stability to the bullpen toiling away in the deserts of Arizona. Greg Holland could be just what the doctor ordered to combine with Nathan Eovaldi in the late innings for the Boston Red Sox. Contract What makes Holland such an attractive target is his salary. He is on a one year contract for $3.25 Million, with two $1 Million bonuses he is likely to achieve. Because half the season is gone, the Red Sox would only be on the hook for half the base plus bonuses. This fits into their extremely limited...

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Red Sox should add Zack Wheeler

Red Sox should add Zack Wheeler

Posted by | Jul 8, 2019 | ,

There are reports circulating that the Red Sox are talking to the Mets about Zack Wheeler. This is an arm the Red Sox should snap up. Tommy John Surgery History Wheeler came on for the Mets with a bang in 2013 with a 3.42 ERA as a rookie in 17 starts. The next year he went he had a 3.56 ERA and seemed to figure it out: His strikeout rate rose from 7.96 to 9.08 K/9. Alas, soon after he went under the knife, and lost 2015 and 2016 to Tommy John surgery and recovery. It was a long...

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The 2019 Red Sox: Shades of the summer of 2004

The 2019 Red Sox: Shades of the summer of 2004

Posted by | Jul 1, 2019 | ,

Are you fed up and ready to bury the 2019 Red Sox? Are their bullpen implosions making you tear your hair out? The feeling around here hasn’t been this dire, with big expectations not being met, since that early to mid summer of 2004. 2004 Drama Just before the nadir of that 2004 season it was the salad days of high drama for the Red Sox. Most noteworthy Nomar Garciaparra got traded, then July 24th 2004 happened. Remember that one? On the NESN DVD for the 2004 team you can see Kevin Millar talking about going 2-0 that day....

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Put Eovaldi In The Bullpen

Put Eovaldi In The Bullpen

Posted by | Jun 12, 2019 | ,

This Red Sox season has seemed like one long extended Alien Ant Farm, Michael Jackson “Smooth Criminal” mashup. No, no we are not ok. I said we are not ok. Didn’t you hear me? Oh, right, we’ve been hit. Nathan Eovaldi apparently is not walking through that door before late June or early July at the earliest. Nate Eovaldi has had a setback. Biceps soreness and his next bullpen was pushed back.— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) June 9, 2019 It’s not just the starting rotation that’s been hurting, but the bullpen too. Ryan Brasier, as predicted, has regressed. This is...

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Curt Schilling Is The Equal Of John Smoltz & Belongs In The Hall Of Fame

Curt Schilling Is The Equal Of John Smoltz & Belongs In The Hall Of Fame

Posted by | May 28, 2019 | ,

On January 22, 2019, the 2019 Baseball Hall Of Fame class announcement occured. Curt Schilling did not matriculate. From here it is obvious that Schilling is the equal of John Smoltz. While Smoltz sailed in on his first chance in 2015, Schilling is still waiting. Why is that? Schilling & Smoltz The bare bones tell the story.Here are Curt Schilling‘s and John Smoltz‘s career numbers: Wins/Losses/Saves/Games/Starts/Innings/Strikeouts/WHIP/ERA/WAR Schilling 216/146/22/569/467/3261/3116/1.137/3.46/79.6 Smoltz 213/155/154/723/481/3473/3084/1.176/3.33/69.1 Smoltz has more games and saves, and a lower ERA. Schilling has more strikeouts and walked less, which resulted in a lower WHIP. WAR is an attempt by the...

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Chris Sale Pitches A Gem

Chris Sale Pitches A Gem

Posted by | May 14, 2019 | , ,

While you were busy watching the Bruins in the Eastern Conference Finals, or the Celtics ping pong balls, Chris Sale was dealing. After striking out 9 in his first four innings, he proceeded to finish with 17 in seven. Not bad being shoulder to shoulder with Pedro Martinez in 2000. #RedSox pitchers with 17 or more strikeouts:Pedro Martinez (twice), Roger Clemens (twice), Bill Monbouquette and Chris Sale.Sale is the first since Pedro in 2000.— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) May 15, 2019 A twisting ball in the corner evaded JD Martinez to end his no-hitter bid, but Sale bounced back with...

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Red Sox – Rockies Series Preview

Red Sox – Rockies Series Preview

Posted by | May 14, 2019 | , ,

When we last took an depth look at the Sox they were starting their road to recovery. On May 1st they had gone 8-4 in their last 12 to meet last year’s .667 winning percentage. Since then they’ve gone 8-2. Mash that together and it’s 16-6 since April 19th. That’s a .727 winning percentage for the math geeks out there. Can they keep it going against the 19-21 Rockies? Pitching Matchups/Schedule (TV) 5/14 – Chris Sale vs Kyle Freeland (NESN) 5/15 – Eduardo Rodriguez vs German Marquez (NESN) Notable Numbers +27: That is the Red Sox run differential. On...

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The Celtics Are Just Getting Started

The Celtics Are Just Getting Started

Posted by | May 7, 2019 | ,

The Celtics are not finished. Everyone and their Podcast partner is writing them off. Boston sports radio is dancing over their graves. The team is at rock bottom, down 3-1 to the Greek Freak and a band of also-rans playing over their heads. But just like last year’s Patriots, rock bottom is where they strip out all the noise and bring it back to team basketball. Kyrie Irving Kyrie Irving hasn’t forgotten how to play basketball. His talk isn’t for everyone, but it’s just talk. Between the lines this guy is a certified basketball genius, he’s just been a...

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Red Sox Demise Vastly Overstated

Red Sox Demise Vastly Overstated

Posted by | May 2, 2019 | , ,

The Red Sox aren’t exactly Arya Stark, and the AL East isn’t exactly the Night King. But yesterday the Red Sox won, the Rays got swept in a double header by the Royals, and the Yankees lost against the Diamondbacks. That’s a game to a game and a half gain in the standings in one day. The end result is the Sox are a respectable 5.5 games out in the AL East today. Here’s what’s going right. Playing Cora Ball Last year the Red Sox pulled off a .667 winning percentage all year, resulting in 108 wins. The last...

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The Patriots Should Trade For Josh Rosen

The Patriots Should Trade For Josh Rosen

Posted by | Apr 25, 2019 | ,

With the NFL draft only hours away, the rumors of a Josh Rosen trade continue to percolate. The Arizona Cardinals will trade Rosen if they take Kyler Murray first overall tonight. The Patriots should strike if that happens. Here are some reasons why he would be worth it, what has gone wrong, and what it would take. Josh Rosen The Prospect What made Rosen a top 10 pick last year? Here are his college stats from Sports Reference: Keep in mind, Tom Brady never threw more than 16 TDs in any year, and finished with a 134.9 career rating...

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Red Sox – Rays Series Preview

Red Sox – Rays Series Preview

Posted by | Apr 19, 2019 | ,

Right now the Red Sox are poor Ned Umber. Nailed to a wall of poor performances, turned by the Night King of a 6-13 record, and set on fire by Red Sox Nation. This is not a melodramatic assessment. Check out what David Price, the only starter who has thrown 7 shutout innings this year, has to say: David Price has been on talented teams that recovered from awful starts, as well as some that didn’t. What if the Sox don’t recover? Price: ‘We don’t play better, Mookie will be traded, JD will be traded… We need to play...

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Blake Swihart DFA’d

Blake Swihart DFA’d

Posted by | Apr 16, 2019 | ,

.@LouMerloni on Blake Swihart:"They screwed that kid up from Day 1"#RedSox #DirtyWater— OMFonWEEI (@OMFonWEEI) April 16, 2019 Why? Why? Sandy Leon is hitting .120 in Pawtucket, after hitting .177 last year. Christian Vazquez is hitting .195, and has let too many balls get past him this year. Blake Swihart was only hitting .231, but the Sox went 3-3 in his starts at catcher. Blake Swihart was not the problem with this team. Blake Swihart will be a starting catcher in the majors, and the Red Sox will rue the day they ever let him go for the sad sack...

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Red Sox-Yankees Series Preview

Red Sox-Yankees Series Preview

Posted by | Apr 16, 2019 | ,

When the Red Sox and Yankees usually meet it is a contest of an immovable object vs an unstoppable force. In this case the immovable object is a losing record for both teams, the unstoppable force injury on one side and mediocrity on the other.

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Stop It: Chris Sale Will Be Fine

Stop It: Chris Sale Will Be Fine

Posted by | Apr 9, 2019 | ,

All over the airwaves I’m hearing concern about Chris Sale. His velocity was the lowest of his career last start. You can’t pay Frank Tanana or Jamie Moyer or Koji Uehara $30 Million a year. He’s got to be injured.

Would the Red Sox let Chris Sale pitch if he were injured? Not a chance. They shut him down the whole second half last year because of shoulder discomfort. Every single pitcher in baseball has shoulder discomfort. Cora and his merry men would not risk Sale’s health.

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Red Sox Confused, Worried, Anxious

Red Sox Confused, Worried, Anxious

Posted by | Apr 6, 2019 | ,

Have you ever been in a workplace where one person was promoted while another was passed over? Have you ever lost out to someone else when pursuing the same romantic connection? Have you ever worried about your future? The impending deadline for many Red Sox contracts is the elephant in the room. Here are the dynamics.

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Red Sox Opening Day – A Wake Up Call

Red Sox Opening Day – A Wake Up Call

Posted by | Mar 29, 2019 | ,

Well that was a dud. Chris Sale was bad, the bullpen was bad, the bats only managed 4 runs in a 12-4 loss. But this isn’t about injury, and it’s not about punching holes in the teams’ talent. This was a wake up call for a team coming off arguably the most historic season in it’s 117 year history.

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Red Sox – Mariners 2019 Season Opening Series Preview

Red Sox – Mariners 2019 Season Opening Series Preview

Posted by | Mar 28, 2019 | ,

The defending champs face off against a stripped down Seattle Mariners team in a four game series starting today in Seattle. Here’s what to look for as the Red Sox kick off the 2019 season. Pitching Matchups/Schedule (TV) 3/28 Chris Sale vs Marco Gonzalez 7:10pm ESPN/NESN 3/29 Nathan Eovaldi vs Yusei Kikuchi 10:10pm NESN 3/30 Eduardo Rodriguez vs Mike Leake 9:10pm NESN 3/31 Rick Porcello vs Wade LeBlanc 4:10pm NESN Notable Numbers Rookie Yusei Kikuchi pitched well in his Major League debut in his Japanese homeland last week, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) in 4.1 Innings against the A’s....

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Mookie Betts Is The Best Value In Baseball

Mookie Betts Is The Best Value In Baseball

Posted by | Mar 20, 2019 | ,

Yesterday the New York Post’s Joel Sherman detailed how much money Mookie Betts has turned down in recent years. Mookie then gave an interview to Red Sox reporters this morning detailing how he loves it here, but will be going to free agency instead of signing a long term deal. Cue the hang wringing all across Red Sox Nation. But the fact Mookie is going year to year for the next two years makes him the greatest value in the majors right now.

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Chris Sale Is About To Get A $150 Million, 5 Year Extension. He’s Worth It.

Chris Sale Is About To Get A $150 Million, 5 Year Extension. He’s Worth It.

Posted by | Mar 15, 2019 | ,

According to Forbes’ Mike Dowling, Chris Sale is on the verge of signing a $35 Million per year extension for 7 years. ***Update – He’s getting a 5 Year $150 Million contract*** The gut reaction of some fans is ‘Woah woah woah, he’s got a 5+ ERA in the playoffs!’. While that is true, he’s also on the road to a Hall Of Fame career. Here are some reasons why, despite the risk, he’s worth it. All Time Leader This guy is historically great. Baseball Reference is a beautiful collection of any baseball stat you can imagine. Chris Sale’s...

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All We Are Saying, Is Give Brock A Chance

All We Are Saying, Is Give Brock A Chance

Posted by | Mar 4, 2019 | ,

Brock Holt is an awesome enigma. He was an All Star on a last place team, averaged .255 or lower in half his seasons, and had the only Cycle in the long history of the MLB playoffs. Holt’s story is one of perseverance, major highs, and frustrating lows. What can we look forward to in 2019? A Parade Of Obsticles & Injuries Here is a list of names that the Red Sox have put in Brock Holt’s way since he came over in 2013 from the Pirates: Jose Iglesias, Will Middlebrooks, Brandon Snyder, Jonathan Herrera, Ryan Roberts, Pablo Sandoval,...

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Changes For Pedroia? Cora’s Got This

Changes For Pedroia? Cora’s Got This

Posted by | Feb 15, 2019 | ,

Cora has said that he’s looking for around 120 games for Pedroia this year. Before this winter, Pedroia would be fighting back, insisting he could play 150. But Alex Cora has the same touch with players coming back from injury that he does when making winning moves in the postseason.

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